Five More Years for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio
The San Antonio Spurs haven’t been to the NBA playoffs since 2019, leading many to speculate that we may soon be seeing the end of the Gregg Popovich era.
But after the Spurs won the lottery for the 2023 NBA Draft, and selected arguably the greatest prospect since LeBron James, there’s suddenly renewed hope in San Antonio these days. With Victor Wembanyanama officially in silver and black, the team’s front office elected to extend their hall of fame worthy coach with a new 5 year deal.
New Era, Same Pop
One week removed from the start of NBA free agency, and players aren’t the only ones getting new contracts.Finally putting rumours of retirement to rest, the 74-year-old President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs agreed to a five-year deal- extending Popovich’s stint as one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NBA history.
While the terms of the new contract won’t be released as part of club policy, this new deal means Popovich will be at the helm to help usher in a new era, now led by a 19-year-old rookie.
Popovich has nothing left to prove at this point of his career. He’s a 5x NBA champion, 3x NBA coach of the year winner, has an Olympic Gold medal with USA basketball, a FIBA America’s gold, and has coached the NBA All-Star Game 4x since debuting in the Association back in 1988.
Instead, he’s coaching simply because he loves the game, and likely wants to get some first hand experience working with a true unicorn in the 7’4” Victor Wembanyama.
A 5 year pact initially raised some eyebrows, as many believed a 2 or 3 year extension was likely in the cards. However, the length gives Pop assurances that the job is his for as long as he wants it, while leaving open the door for him to retire whenever he sees fit.
Can Pop Turn Things Around?
If there’s one coach that’s been to hell and back and turned a lottery-bound team to a championship squad, it’s Gregg Popovich. After all, the last two times the Spurs drafted the top pick in the draft, those players were key contributors to the Spurs five NBA championships.
David Robinson and Tim Duncan formed the nucleus of the early 2000’s Spurs teams who dominated the league year in, year out. And fans and the front office alike are hoping that Wembanyama can become San Antonio’s new foundational pillar for the next generation.
However, things are now different. The roster Popovich will be coaching in his 28th season and beyond is one of the youngest cores he’s handled in his career, which could lead to some short term growing pains.
Aside from Victor Wembanyanama, the current Spurs squad will also have Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan. The Spurs will also feature Zach Collins as well as veterans Cedi Osman and Reggie Bullock.
Last season, Johnson led the team in scoring with 22 points to go along with five rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Vassell averaged 19.5 points, while Tre Jones led the team in assists with 6.6 dimes per game.
In his first NBA game in the NBA Summer League, Victor Wembanyanama finished with nine points on two for 13 field goal shooting. He grabbed eight rebounds, blocked five shots, and showed his impressive passing skills. Unfortunately, he was also put on a poster by Kai Jones on a dunk as the Spurs went on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 76-68.
While his offensive output may have been disappointing, the fact that Wembanyama was able to affect the game so effortlessly on the defensive end highlights how impactful he can be, even on nights where his shots aren’t falling.
If there’s one thing we know about Popovich, it’s that he can develop prospects into championship-calibre players. With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili lurking around the Spurs facility of late, imparting wisdom to the club’s French Phenom, one can assume things will only get better from here for Wembanyama as he transitions to the NBA pace of play.
And Popovich will be there every step of the way.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: The Obama White House. This file is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.